Homestyle Apple Fritters
A Timeless Treat for Every Season
You might think of apple fritters as an autumn treat, but I’m pretty sure glazed pastries studded with juicy apples, fragrant cinnamon, and the exotic warmth of cardamom are delicious every day of the year.
I’ve also made this recipe slightly more healthy by baking them in my oven using the air fryer setting rather than deep frying. You could easily prepare these treats the traditional way, just use canola or vegetable oil in a Dutch oven and fill the pot with a minimum of 2” of oil. Heat it to 325F and fry the batter for 6-8 minutes, flipping the fritters halfway through the cooking time and cooking until they’re a deep golden brown.
However you choose to make these treats, they’re honestly hard to stop eating once you start, so don’t be afraid to share or even freeze for later. Either way, your taste buds will love you for it. — CFG
ingredients
For the Dough
1 1/2 cups warmed milk
2 1/4 tsp yeast
1/2 tsp white sugar
3 1/2 cups all purpose flour, plus 1/4 cup
1 tsp salt
1/4 cup white sugar
4 tbsp butter, softened
1/4 cup of milk/cream (for washing the dough before baking)
For the Filling
2 large apples, peeled and diced into 1/2” chunks
2/3 cup brown sugar
2 tbsp butter
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cardamom
For the Glaze
1 cup icing sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp cardamom
1/4 cup milk
Directions
Add 2 1/4 tsp of yeast and 1/2 tsp of sugar to 1 1/2 cups of warm milk (not hot). Let stand for 5-10 minutes until mixture becomes frothy.
In a stand mixer add 3 1/2 cups of flour, 1 tsp of salt, and 1/4 cup of sugar. Attach a dough hook attachment to the mixer and mix ingredients together.
Lightly whisk the milk mixture, then turn the mixer on low speed and slowly add the liquid. Once fully combined, add 4 tbsp of softened butter, one tbsp at a time. Knead on low speed for 5 minutes. If the dough is a bit sticky use the remaining 1/4 cup of flour and add a pinch or two at a time to the mixture. Watch for it to come together after a couple of mixer rotations, then turn off the mixer.
Flour your hands, remove the dough hook, and form the dough into a ball. Place into a lightly greased bowl and cover with a clean kitchen towel. Allow the dough to rest in a warm area for ~60-90 minutes or until the dough has roughly doubled in size.
About 20 minutes before you’re ready to work with the dough, peel and core 2 large apples and cut into 1/2” chunks. Place the apples in a skillet pan with 2/3 cup of brown sugar, 2 tbsp of butter, 1 tsp of cinnamon, and 1/2 tsp of cardamom.
Warm the mixture on medium-low heat until the butter is completely melted and the sugar fully dissolves. Stir constantly, then remove from heat once the apples begin to soften just slightly.
Transfer the mixture to a bowl and set aside. Allow the mixture to cool for 10 - 15 minutes. (It will be cool enough to handle when the dough is ready to be prepared.)
Once the dough has doubled in size, lightly flour a flat surface and transfer the dough to it, then roll it into a 10” x 20” rectangle.
Transfer the apple mixture to half of the dough and spread it out evenly, then lightly sprinkle with flour. (Be sure to leave a 1/2” border around the edges.)
Bring the plain half of the dough over the apple mixture and line up the edges of the dough, then lightly pinch the edges together to form a large sealed pocket. Gently press down on the dough to create a level surface.
Using a bench scraper or wheel cutter, cut the dough into 1” vertical strips, then repeat the process and make 1” horizontal cuts across the dough. (See pictures below.)
12. Fold one half of the cut dough over the other, then lightly sprinkle it with a bit of flour. Next, shape it back together, gently pressing and forming the dough back into a large oval about 2” thick.
13. Using a 3” pastry ring (or a 1 cup measuring cup), cut out 8-10 fritters. Cut the forms as close together as possible, and reshape any cuttings back into the dough. (There should be no wastage.)
14. Gently press the shaped forms together to ensure the dough sticks together, then place on a parchment paper lined air fryer/baking sheet.
15. Preheat oven/air fryer to 400F.
16. Brush the dough with a milk/cream wash just before placing in the oven.
17. Bake for 10-12 minutes at 400F, then reduce the heat to 350F and bake for an additional 10 minutes (or until baked through and golden brown).
18. Remove the fritters from the oven and let them cool on the cooking tray.
19. While the fritters are resting, prepare the glaze. In a small mixing bowl, add together 1 cup of icing sugar, 1/2 tsp of cinnamon, 1/4 tsp of cardamom, and 1/4 cup of milk. Whisk together until smooth.
20. Prepare your glazing station by placing a cooling rack onto a baking sheet, and then setting the glaze next to it in a shallow, wide-mouth bowl.
20. Once the fritters are cool enough to handle, dip the top of the fritter into the glaze, then place it onto the cooling rack and allow to fully set. (You can also use a spoon to ladle the glaze onto the fritter). Let the glaze set for ~5 minutes.
21. Serve and enjoy!
